LIVE: Jair Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva face off in election debate

The most popular candidates in the Brazilian presidential election are, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and Jair BolsonaroParticipate this Sunday The first debate of the campaign for the October election, after several days of uncertainty about his presence at the event. As expected, the first face-to-face between The two arch-rivals, key figures in Brazil’s recent history, began with a lot of tension.

As the drivers gave the candidates room to ask questions, Petrobras started talking about the corruption case. In particular, he asked the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT) if he wanted to return to power to continue corruption in the state oil company. “I knew this question would come up,” Lula replied.

Along these lines, he asserted that Lula’s government was “based on theft” and accused him of presiding over “the most corrupt government in Brazil’s history.” “Everybody steals and diverts, the president doesn’t know,” he commented wryly.

A visit to the television studio band, Bolsonaro had already hoped to show “what corruption” was in the former president’s government.

Lula assured the “lies” of the president, whom he accused moments earlier of abandoning the country’s education during the pandemic. He further said, His government created more jobs, inclusion, investment in education and benefits for Petrobras.

“The country I left is a country that people have missed,” said Brazil’s former president, who blamed Bolsonaro. “Destroyed the country”.

The current president responded by noting that his administration “serves the most needy” and is a “government that thinks of the poor.” “This is a well-functioning government. The economy is growing,” he said.

“Everything in Brazil is out of place. It shocks me to hear President Bolsonaro say that the economy is growing,” replied Labor Party candidate Ciro Gomez, who targeted Lula da Silva for alleged corruption: “The reason I quit is because Lula actually left corruption.” The former president again defended himself against the allegations, Labor candidate He said he was lying, and recalled that he had been acquitted by the UN and the Supreme Court.

Another focus of conflict between Lula and Bolsonaro is the issue of social assistance. On the question of how to maintain the 600-genuine emergency aid, the candidates accused each other of lying. Both promised to maintain that value next year, and said the cost would be manageable. “There’s a lie in the air. The PT caucus voted in favor; The candidate likes to quote ridiculous figures that even he does not believe,” the PT leader said.

However, Bolsonaro said the PT bench voted against the aid: “It is in his DNA to find lies and numbers. Why didn’t PT increase the family subsidy? He paid a pittance because he only wanted votes.

Senator Simone Tebet of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) accused President Bolsonaro of being a “misogynist”. “Why so angry with women?” he asked. However, the official candidate said that “the government has passed more laws protecting women”.

“We cannot have a president who lies, creates fake news, and divides families. Mine will be a government of love,” Tebbett said.

Bolsonaro responded that his government does not divide, it supports the family, and reiterated his rejection of abortion in this way.

Six major candidates for the presidency are participating in the event. After doubts about his presence, the head of state finally confirmed his presence.

Bolsonaro and Lula campaign teams have asked not to put candidates together. Labor candidate Cyrus Gomez, third in the poll, there was a complaint on social networks about the change in the position of the candidates in the package. Before the debate, when reporters questioned the reason for the change, Bolsonaro had no problem appearing on his side, but said he would “not shake hands with a thief.”He said, referring to the corruption scandals embedded in Lula’s decrees.

According to Gómez, the rescheduling was at the request of Lula and Bolsonaro, which would have gone against an agreement previously made by candidates who decided on positions by lottery.

The debate was organized by a group of Brazilian media in São Paulo Bandirandes Network and newspaper Folha de S.PauloOctober 2 is prime on the campaign calendar ahead of the election. This is only one action, which is why it is considered one of the most decisive moments of the process..

Leftist Lula, who ruled Brazil between 2003 and 2010, is leading the race for the Oct. 2 election, with 47% likely to vote for Bolsonaro versus 32%, according to a poll by the Datafolha Institute published Aug. 18. Other polls also put Lula in the lead, albeit by a smaller margin.

In addition to inviting Lula and Bolsonaro, the organizers of the debate invited four candidates, including the former finance minister. Cyrus Gomez (PDT, center left); And the senator Simon Debbett (MDB, center), third and fourth in the poll, as well as Luis Felipe d’Avila (Novo) and Soraya Thronike (Unio Brasil).

In 2018, when he won the election, Bolsonaro only participated in the first two presidential debates. With a month to go before the first round, after being stabbed at a campaign rally and undergoing surgery, he has not debated again and his presence on social media is prominent.

Neither Lula nor former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB, center) participated in the pre-first-round debates when they sought re-election in 2006 and 1998, respectively. A) Yes, Lula last participated in a debate in 2006Today in the presence of his vice presidential candidate, Gerardo Alcmin.

Advertising on radio and television

Whatever happens in 2018, television and radio will continue to play an important role in reaching the poor, especially in rural areas, where internet penetration is still far below the national average.

Before the discussion, Bolsonaro and Lula aired their campaign ads on radio and television this Saturday, focusing mainly on the economy.

Lula criticized the progress of inflation and hunger, which affects more than 33 million Brazilians. Vocalist Gilberto Gil declared, “Democracy does not mix with hate and violence or with authoritarianism or ‘fake news’.”

Lula, backed by ten parties, has one minute more television than Bolsonaro (3.39 minutes) and has spent his screen time saying “millions of Brazilian brothers and sisters have nothing to eat”. Without citing Bolsonaro, Lula wondered “How can such a rich country go so backwards?” And “How can a ruler be unconcerned about the suffering of so many people?”

Bolsonaro, for his part, blamed inflation on the pandemic, war in Ukraine and drought, while pledging to maintain the Aid Brazil aid program through 2023, which transfers about $110 a month to 20 million families.

Trying to reach those voters, in his first radio show this Saturday, Bolsonaro’s campaign used a speaker with a strong accent from Brazil’s northeast, the poorest part of the country where Lula has a big advantage in the polls.

Besides appealing to patriotism with the flag and national anthem, he tried to present himself as a sensitive person. “Bolsonaro is direct, he says what he thinks and what he feels. And how do you feel?” The ad continued, showing the president breaking down in tears during a recent campaign rally.

Bolsonaro sparked controversy on Friday, denying there was a “hunger for truth” in Brazil, saying he did not see people at the doors of bakeries asking for bread.

Both candidates were interviewed this week on the most-watched news in Brazil in what is considered a pivotal moment in the campaign that began on August 16.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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